Aeroplane-stabilizer.



1.7L, BROWN. AEROPLANE STABILIZER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29, 1915. 1,171,698. Patented Feb.15,1916.

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(1 Woman J. L. BROWN;

AEROPLANE STABILIZEBL APPLICATION FILED JUN'E 29.- 1915. 1,171,698. Patented Feb;1 5, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- @1012, .L. Bra 1011 J. L. BROWN. AERCPLANE. STABILIZER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29. 1915,

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Patnted Feb. 15,1916.

3 SHEETS SHEET 3 JOHN L. BROWN, 0F MOMENCE, ILLINOIS.

AEROPLANE-STABILIZER;

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

Application filed June 29, 1915. Serial No. 37,024. I

To all whom) it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN L. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Momence, in the county of Kankakee and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Aeroplane-Stabilizers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to stabilizers for aeroplanes or flying machines of the heavierthan-air-type, and particularly to stabilizers for maintaining the. lateral stability of such craft. y

The object of the invention isto provide novel and improved stabilizing means whereby certain advantages are gained as hereinafter fully described.

In the drawings hereto attached and forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a biplane embodying my invention, showing in dotted lines one of the stabilizing planes adjusted for a balancing action. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Figs. 3 and at are opposite end elevations with parts appearing as in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the stabilizing planes. Figs. 6 and 7 are views illustrating the balancing actions.

In the accompanying drawings, for purposes of exemplificatio'n, I have shown the application of my invention to a biplane structure. for which it is best adapted, but it will, of course, be understood that the invention is not restricted to such application,

. of the machine.

as it is susceptible of application to and efficient use upon other types of heavier-thanair flying machines.

In the drawings, 1 and 2 designate the upper and lower main planes comprising the supporting surface of a biplane flying machine, which planes are connected as usual by the struts or stanchions 3 and the reinforcing wires or stays 1. In the construction of machine shownthe upper plane is of greater length or spread than the lower plane, having the laterally extending end portions 5 and6 which project beyond the adjacent ends of the lower plane. but, while this construction is preferred, its use is not obviously essential.

In accordance with my invention. I provide a stabilizer comprising a pair of small stability planes 7 and 8, which are arranged respectively, at the right and left hand sides These planes are counterparts of one another; and each may be of any suitable construction, but in the form shown'consists of a suitable frame 8 having a fabric covering 9, the said plane being of concavo convex form between its front and rear edges, 10 designating the concaved face or surface of the surface thereof.

One (the forward) longitudinal edge of each plane is provided, with journals 12 which may constitute continuations of the front spar of the frame thereof, and these ournals 12 engage bearing members or eyes 13 upon the respective main planes 1 and 2, whereby the stability plane is pivotally mounted. Attached to the rear longitudinal edge of the stability plane is a controlling cord or cable, the cords or cables 11 and 15 of the respective planes'7 and S passing forwardly and inwardly to a point in proximity to the aviators seat 16 where they are connected with a suitable control device or lever 17 The lever 17 shown in the present instance is mounted to swing laterally of the machine and when moved in one direction draws upon the cord 1.1 and relaxes the cord 15, and when moved in the opposite direc tion draws upon the cord 15 and slackens the cord 11.

plane and 11 the convex It will be observed that the planes 7'and 8 I extend between the marginal rear edges of the main planes 1 and 2, and lie normally at an angle of 45 to the horizontal line of flight, in which position the stability planes are neither horizontal nor vertical. and partake neither of the nature of a horizontal rudder orof the nature of a vertical rudder. The pivoted edges of the, stability planes face forwardly. and owing to their described angle of inclination, the planes are abso lutelv neutral so far as their balancing or stabilizing actions are concerned when ,in normal position, the planes lying simply so as to cut through the air without exerting any resisting action whatever thereon. It will also be observed that the concaved sides of the stability planes face inwardl v, and that saidplanes when positively moved for a stabilizing action swing forwardly and upwardly and in a direction toward the center of the machine. the concaved sides of the planes facing forwardly in such action to receive the pressure of the wind.

hen the machine is in flight and becomes laterall unbalanced. the aviator operates the control device to pull or draw upon the cable leading to the stability plane at the of flight, its angle being such that the air striking the surface ,of the plane performs 5 three functions, one being of an incidental character. -whereby the balance of the machine will be restored and the machine also prevented from oscillating fore-and-aft on its vertical axis "and also prevented from skidding laterally. For instance, if, as shown in Fig. 6. the right hand side of the machine should be the high or elevated side, and the stability plane-7 atthat side should be adjusted. it will be evident that the air striking the inclined stability plane' will exert a depressing action on that side of the machinegbywhich the balance of the machine will be restored. At the same'time the plane will set up a resistance against the forward motion of the righthand side of the machine. but. owing to its angle of inclination. this resistance will be incidental. and not suflicient to cause fore-'and-aft' oscillation, its principal function in such-action 2-5 being that of preventing the machine from sliding off its course or skidding ,laterally and downwardly in the direction of the-low side of the machine. In this operation it will, of course, be understood that the plane 7'only is adjusted. the. cable 15 being slacked andallowing the plane 8 to be free to assume an entirely'idle position underthe equal wind pressures on opposite sides. thereof. Similarly, when the machine becomes unbalanced in the opposite direction and its left hand side is elevated. the stabilizing plane 8 atthat side is. adjusted for a stabilizing action, while the plane 7 is allowed to float free so as to be wholly devoid of any controlling action whatever.

\Vhen the stability plane on the high side of the aeroplane is operated it not only 'lowers the high side. but the resistance of the air striking the stability plane will also check the speed of the high side and in doing so it will turn the aeroplane slightly in the direction of the high side. which will also aidin restoring the lateral equilibrium ofthe aeroplane. but the stability planes can 'not'be used to turn the aeroplane in full circles in the air. An aeroplane embodying my invention differs from an aeroplane that has stability planes, since such an aeroplane must have a vertical rudder to turn the aeroin the art.

sure a much more'rapid and easy stabilizing action, which to a large extent avoidslmclc and forth oscillations of the machine on its vertical axis, and entirely overcomes any tendency of the machine to slide or skid laterally. The advantages of the invention will therefore be 1. In an aeroplane. a stabilizer compris ing'small planes arranged at the rear lateral margins of the aeroplane. said planes being concavo-convexly curved and said planes being set at angles of 45 in the lateral direction of the aeroplane so as to swing with their concaved sides forward upwardly and inwardly toward the center of the aeroplzuie. and means for so swinging the stabilizing plane at the high side and allowing the stability plane at the low side to swing neut-rally in the .path of the wind.

9. In an aeroplane. a stabilizer comprising small planes arranged at'th'e rear lateral margins of the aeroplane. said planes being concavo-convexly curved and said planes being set at outward and upward angles of IS in the lateral direction of the aeroplane so as to swing with their conc'aved sides forwardly. upwardly and inwardly toward the JOHN L. snows.

neutrally in iiithesses: v VARNUM A. PARISH, U. GRANT BROWN. I

apparent to those versedstated manner while permitting the 

